Head of a Woman or Apollo

myminifactory

The original marble bust from which this cast was made stands prominently in the Sala dei Busti at The Museo Pio-Clementino, part of the vast collection of Cardinal Albani. Created around the 4th century BC, its origins are still a topic of debate among scholars and artists alike. Most likely associated with the school of Kephisodotos, this work shares similarities in style with The Apollo of Mantua (Louvre), echoing the androgynous subject and coiffure, albeit much more flamboyant and elaborate. Another bust, titled The Head of Apollo, part of the Ince Blundell collection at The Liverpool Museums, bears striking resemblance to this sculpture. Its youthful male and feminine features, along with a characterized thick ring of locks sweeping around the face into a topknot with loose ringlets falling onto the shoulders and nape of the neck, make it a strong candidate for being a copy of this bust from the Vatican Museum. In fact, The Blundell Apollo is in such clean condition that it's suspected to be a replica of this very bust. This has sparked debate among experts, who have also misidentified the sculpture as a bust of Isis due to its distinctive lotus-like lock of hair over the brow. However, this claim has been thoroughly refuted. Similar styles can be seen in sculptures such as The Apollos at The British Museum and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, and The Apollo Citharoedus.